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spec·trin

(spĕktrĭn)

A fibrous protein that links with actin filaments and is the major component of the sturdy cytoskeleton that underlies the plasma membrane of red blood cells.

[SPECT(E)R (so called because a red blood cell without hemoglobin is called a ghost) + -IN.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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